China
The Jiuzhaigou Forest is one of the premier natural destinations in China, and one of the most beautiful woodlands to be found in the Far East. Located in a valley of the same name at the foothills of the Himalayas, the scenery is unparalleled. The valley is also rich in history and culture, and is a very popular vacation destination. The Jiuzhaigou Valley and its forest is a national park, as well as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a World Biosphere Reserve.
Early peoples migrated to and lived in the Jiuzhaigou Valley long before recorded history. It remained little known or explored in greater China until after World War II. It briefly served as an important source of lumber, but in 1982 much of the forest was protected in a national park.
The Jiuzhaigou Forest is a relatively small 250 square miles or so, but a lot is packed into that area. Divided into a number of smaller valleys, the mountainous terrain is covered in lush green forest almost everywhere. There are myriad beautiful lakes and waterfalls, and a few very tiny, ancient villages brimming with history and culture. Of particular interest and popularity are the Nuorilang Falls.
The Jiuzhaigou Forest is a very popular tourist destination, receiving over a million visitors a year. There are seven surviving villages in the park that support the tourism industry, and these are packed during the warmer months of the year. Web: N/A.
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